Government authorizes two contested wind farms

The two offshore wind farm projects raise fears for biodiversity and fishermen's criticism.

The challenge did not deter the executive. The government has given this green light on Tuesday to operate two wind farms offshore, one located off the islands of Yeu and Noirmoutier (Vendée) and the other off the Tréport (Seine-Maritime) , in decrees published in the Official Journal.

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These authorizations cease to "produce effect" if the installations are not put in service in their "completeness" on July 1st, 2024, add the two orders.

Fear for biodiversity

The Noirmoutier project, which has been in development for four years and which is to bring together 62 wind turbines, comes up against opponents fearing for biodiversity. In a public inquiry between April and May 2018, 76% of those who spoke expressed their opposition to the project.

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The project, developed by Engie, is expected to produce an average of 1,900 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity per year. This corresponds to the annual consumption of 790 000 people, which is more than the population of the Vendée (674 000).

Electricity for two thirds of Seine-Maritime

The Dieppe Le Tréport project must also bring together 62 wind turbines. The park, developed by Engie, would produce an average of 2,000 GWh per year, which represents the annual electricity consumption of approximately 850,000 people, or about two thirds of the population of Seine-Maritime.

Supported by the Regional Council of Normandy chaired by the centrist Hervé Morin, it also arouses strong criticism from local fishermen, supported by the PCF municipalities of Dieppe and Tréport. A public inquiry into the project was opened in mid-October and should be completed by the end of November.